Facebook and Narcissism

Indianapolis, IN

The purpose of this study is to investigate individuals in different subtype categories of narcissism (Grandiose & Vulnerable), and how different types of feedback (positive, negative, & neutral) predict for negative responses to perceived online threat. Research suggests that when high levels of narcissism are combined with ego threat, higher levels of aggression result. Such aggressive responses to threat could possibly manifest on SNS with users responding with negative behaviors or with verbally aggressive responses. This experiment focuses on Grandiose and Vulnerable subtypes of narcissism in response to perceived threat. A series of measurements will be given to assess participants' levels of narcissism, self-esteem, extraversion, and Facebook use. Participants will receive online feedback (ie., feedback on their Facebook page) from an observer profile and then will evaluate the observer for a possible recommendation letter. We predict that negative feedback will elicit aggressive retaliatory behavior from both subtypes. However, we predict there will be differences in level of aggression between the two. Data collection for this experiment is ongoing.